Xanthoparmelia inopinata
Xanthoparmelia inopinata is a little-known species of saxicolous foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. It occurs in Western Australia.
Taxonomy
Xanthoparmelia inopinata was scientifically described by the lichenologist John Elix in 2006. The specific epithet inopinata is derived from the Latin word for "unexpected", referencing the surprising presence of prominent effigurate maculae and isidia, features that are not commonly observed together in the genus Xanthoparmelia.Description
Xanthoparmelia inopinata features a foliose, to tightly adnate thallus that can grow up to 4–5 cm wide. The lobes are contiguous to, somewhat irregular in shape, irregularly branched, and range from 2–4 mm in width. The upper surface is yellow-green, more or less flat to, featuring effigurate and becoming dull,, and in the centre. The lichen lacks soredia but possesses dense isidia that are spherical initially then become somewhat cylindrical and branched. The medulla is white while the lower surface is smooth and black with moderately dense,, slender black rhizines up to 0.5 mm long. Apothecia and pycnidia were not observed to occur in ''X. inopinata''Habitat and distribution
This species is found growing on granite in Western Australia, specifically noted at a location 2 km east of Bruce Rock township. The habitat is characterised by granite monoliths amidst remnants of Eucalyptus, Casuarina, and Acacia. As of its original description, Xanthoparmelia inopinata was known only from its type locality.Chemical analysis of the lichen shows the presence of usnic acid, atranorin, protocetraric acid, virensic acid, and trace amounts of fumarprotocetraric acid, conprotocetraric acid, and vioxanthin. In chemical spot tests, the cortex reacts K− while the medulla reacts K+, C−, and P+.